Pilates reformer accessory

ABSTRACT

An add-on accessory for a Pilates reformer that provides a stationary and stable platform, which greatly increases the number and types of exercises that are possible on the reformer.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an accessory for a Pilates reformer, in particular the present invention is an add-on stationary platform.

Description of Related Art

The Pilates reformer is a traditional piece of Pilates exercise equipment which looks like a bed with springs, and has a sliding carriage that moves on rails, and ropes and pulleys. There are usually five springs and using only one or two of them can provide a gentler resistance, depending on the exercise and the muscle(s) being worked. Additionally, varying the number of springs attached at any given moment can provide a gentler or harder resistance, depending on the exercise and the muscle(s) being worked.

There is a foot rail at the foot end of the reformer, which can be an adjustable bar. A user’s feet and hands can be placed on this rail depending on the exercise. There is a head rail at the opposite end of the Pilates reformer. The Pilates reformer also has long straps with handles on them that a user’s feet or hands can be placed into; these are at the head of the frame, opposite of the foot rail. The springs can be adjusted to affect both the foot rail and the handles, as well as to modify the workout for different skill levels and body types. In fact, the Pilates reformer is not only used by people looking to strengthen their core, but also by dancers for training and for individuals requiring injury rehabilitation. The sliding cartridge usually runs up and down the Pilates reformer on a pair of rails with nothing else mounted on or between the rails. Because of the sliding motion of the carriage, it is dangerous to attempt to stand on the carriage. Many exercises can be done on a Pilates reformer with the user in a standing position, but those exercises cannot be done on Pilates’ reformers safely.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an accessory for a Pilates reformer that provides a stationary and stable platform, which greatly increases the number and types of exercises possible on the Pilates reformer safely. The accessory can be positioned on either side of the sliding cartridge of the Pilates reformer.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is a hard surface Pilates reformer accessory for standing on a Pilates reformer comprising:

-   a) a Pilates reformer having a plurality of holes positioned in the     reformer comprising at least one rail selected from the group     consisting of a head rail, foot rail or side rails; and -   b) a hard surface having a top and a bottom, wherein there are at     least four pegs on the bottom which rest in holes in the side rails,     producing a stable platform for standing on either the foot or the     head of the Pilates reformer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Pilates reformer accessory and add-on stationary platform of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

Definitions

The terms “about” and “essentially” mean ±10 percent.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein, and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the term “hard surface” refers to a flat material such as a board (wood, plastic, metal, and the like). This can also be a padded surface mounted on a hard surface or can be adapted to be either. See FIG. 1 for an example. In one embodiment, there is a hard surface, and a padded surface can be mounted on the hard surface. The hard surface is a material of strength and thickness for a user to stand on (i.e., to support the weight of a person). This could be made of wood, such as a board, metal, plastic, and the like. In general, the hard surface will be shaped as a rectangular shape to cover both side rails at the same time. However, any shape that rests on both side rails can be contemplated. The hard surface can be padded or not padded, and as an option, it can also have non-skid material applied to the top of the hard surface. The bottom will have a plurality of pegs designed to rest the device on the side rails on a Pilates reformer. The hard surface is designed to be easily removed. In addition, the hard surface has a device for attaching the hard surface to either of the head or foot rails. In one embodiment, the hard surface has pegs that fit in holes in the side rail, head rail, or foot rail. Holes can be the slots on some reformers, but any shaped hole is contemplated.

As used herein, the term “Pilates reformer” refers to a traditional piece of Pilates exercise equipment, which looks like a bed with springs with a sliding carriage that moves on side rails, and ropes and pulleys.

As used herein, the term “reformer side rails” refers to parallel spaced railings designed so that a sliding carriage can move back and forth on them.

As used herein, the term “head and foot rails” are relative terms used to identify rails at each end of the Pilates reformer that connect perpendicular to the side rails.

As used herein, the term “non-skid material” refers to tape, fabric liquid, and the like, that is designed to be applied to a surface to increase the traction and avoid skidding when used. One of skill in the art can decide how much, or whether to use it at all, depending on the hard surface and how it will be utilized.

As used herein, the term “convertible” refers to the ability to convert the hard surface from padded to non-padded. In one embodiment, there are two pieces (one padded, one not) of the hard surface that can be interchangeable.

As used herein, the term “additional connection device” refers to additional attachment devices to enable the hard surface to be attached to the foot, head, or side rails of the Pilates reformer. In one embodiment it is a peg.

As used herein, the term “standing” refers to the hard surface being able to support the full weight of an individual or user utilizing the Pilates reformer.

Drawings

Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Pilates reformer 1. The parts of the Pilates reformer 1 include the foot rail 12, head rail 2, and the side rails 3. Sliding carriage 4 sits on side rails 3 and can move back and forth on the side rails 3 with tension provided by springs 5 (hidden) and a rope and pulley system 6. In this embodiment, a set of four holes 7 in the head rail 2 or the foot rail 12, allows the reformer accessory 9 a to be positioned on the Pilates reformer 1 utilizing a plurality of pegs 10 that rest in the holes 7 on side rails 3, and two pegs 11 in the side of the hard surface that rest in the holes 7 on the head rail or the foot rail. Numbers 9 a and 9 b illustrate the 2-piece accessory (one hard 9 a, one padded 9 b) fitting into the holes 7 on the side rails 3. Other attachment devices can be used in place of the two or four pegs shown. In other embodiments, the foot rail 12 portion is higher than the side rails 3. The reformer accessory 9 a mounts to the foot rail 12 in the same manner. In one embodiment, the device is a two piece device allowing a padded 4 b, 9 b, or hard 4 a, 9 a surface. The reformer accessory 9 a or 9 b can be positioned next to either the head rail 2 or foot rail 12. In this view, four pegs rest on the side rails 3.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hard surface Pilates reformer accessory for standing on a Pilates reformer comprising: a) a Pilates reformer having a plurality of holes positioned in the reformer comprising at least one rail selected from a group consisting of a head rail, foot rail, or side rails; and b) a hard surface having a top and a bottom, wherein there are at least four pegs on the bottom which rest in holes in the side rails, producing a stable platform for standing on either the foot or the head of the Pilates reformer.
 2. The hard surface Pilates reformer accessory for standing on a Pilates reformer according to claim 1, wherein there is non-skid material on the top of the hard surface.
 3. The hard surface Pilates reformer accessory for standing on a Pilates reformer according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface is padded.
 4. The hard surface Pilates reformer accessory for standing on a Pilates reformer according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface is convertible from padded to not padded.
 5. The hard surface Pilates reformer accessory for standing on a Pilates reformer according to claim 1, wherein the hard surface further comprises an additional connection device for attaching the hard surface to the reformer.
 6. The hard surface Pilates reformer accessory for standing on a Pilates reformer according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two pegs on the sides of the hard surface which engage the positioned holes. 